“Typically a ‘cut price’ automotive seems to be lower than a cut price when you’ve got it geared up the best way you need.” So opens the textual content of {a magazine} advert for the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, a automobile so bereft of content material it could not look misplaced on the lot of a Moscow used-car retailer.
For folk not within the know, the Aspen was already one thing of an automotive equipment, that includes pedestrian design, underwhelming efficiency, and, sadly, a status for disappointing reliability. As for the Aspen Particular particularly, learn on…
The compact Aspen, and it’s corporate-clone cousin the Plymouth Volaré had been, by 1980, horribly dated technically, and had been largely offered on value. A major proportion of interval gross sales had been to authorities fleets, this to the dismay of many cops and low-level bureaucrats.
And to hit a value level that met the calls for of fleet patrons and the nation’s thriftiest motorists, Dodge supplied the Particular, a kind of base, base trim stage.
As seen beneath, the Aspen Particular was marketed as American’s solely 6-passenger sedan accessible for lower than $5000. That’s $4994, to be actual. And for the children studying this, many vehicles of the day featured entrance “bench seating,” which accommodated three-abreast front-row passenger placement. So, three in entrance, three in again, that’s six.
Apparently, through the 1980 mannequin yr—Aspen’s closing yr–Dodge lowered the value of its most soul-crushing mannequin, the Aspen Particular. The Particular, supplied as coupe and sedan (as seen right here) was positioned beneath the bottom Aspen, and got here commonplace with so few options {that a} small little one might rely them. Seems, there was nothing particular concerning the Particular.
In the beginning of 1980, per the Encyclopedia of American Automobiles, the most cost effective Aspen began at $5151. Sooner or later through the ’80 mannequin yr, the value of a Particular was dropped to $4994. Now, the all-new, and decidedly extra trendy and trendy Chevrolet Quotation began at simply $4800, however that value didn’t embrace a 6-cylinder engine, or computerized transmission, options commonplace on the Aspen. It did, nonetheless, seat six. However, the Quotation was technically a hatchback, not a sedan, so Dodge’s cheapest-sedan declare was not challenged.
However, to place the Aspen Particular in correct historic perspective, we have to take a look at what precisely did come commonplace—and what didn’t—for $4994. First, the usual stuff:
1980 Dodge Aspen Particular: Normal Tools
“Slant Six” engine
Legendary for its sturdiness, the mighty Slant Six was simply plodding alongside by 1980. Strangled by emissions rules, the large 3.7-liter engine was cranking out simply 90 horsepower within the Aspen Particular, good for a reported 15-second 0-60 mph “dash.”
TorqueFlite computerized transmission with lockup Torque Converter
A typical computerized transmission is good, however the TorqueFlite, although famously dependable, was nonetheless only a 3-speed unit, this at a time when many manufacturers had already moved to 4-speeds. Additionally, we’re undecided why Torque Converter is being dealt with as a correct noun by Dodge.
Energy Steering
Unbelievably, energy steering was not commonplace on most Aspens. So, this can be a good add.
Whitewall P-metric radial tires
Yawn. Radial tires had been frequent by 1980, and albeit white-sidewall tires had grow to be passé. Amusingly, these are slender white-sidewall tires. Wider stripes price further. Actually.
Deluxe wheel covers with wheel lip moldings
On this case, deluxe” is subjective, and we’re not sure lower-cost wheel covers would even have made a lot of a distinction. Additionally, Wheel lip moldings, which all the time appear to be Ok-Mart-sourced equipment, tended to be the place rust developed first. Simply saying.
Physique-side accent tape stripes
It’s tape.
Entrance and rear bumper guards
Little, kinda ineffective, bumper guards.
Anti-corrosion safety
Rust proofing was a preferred add-on again within the day. Wanting again, it didn’t work very effectively. Aspens preferred to rust.
Diagnostic Plug
An fascinating characteristic, although this method by no means went anyplace. The “plug” was a precursor to the industry-accepted On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) commonplace, which included a port for digital service entry to the automotive’s working system. The Aspen Diagnostic Plug was not practically so refined, and will by no means have truly been used.
I’d prefer to assume that not less than one car-shopper’s spouse was, sooner or later, at some dealership, heard to protest, “Honey, I received’t drive a automotive with out wheel-lip moldings or a diagnostic plug!”
Now, right here’s some stuff that didn’t come commonplace on the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, however could possibly be had on different trim ranges:
Not Normal Tools
Tinted glass
When you’re younger, you’ve been spoiled by low-glare, UV-shielding windshields and aspect glass your entire life. However, Aspen Particular drivers weren’t. Possible they all the time wore sun shades, and checked frequently for melanoma.
Radio
That’s proper, no tunes. To not fear, with out sound insulation (see beneath), there’s a superb probability you wouldn’t hear the music anyway.
Noise Discount Package deal, Particular Sound Insulation, Hood Silencer Pad
These choices could possibly be ordered individually, or collectively as a part of the “Deluxe Insulation Package deal.” Appears that saving cash means coping with wind, highway, and engine noise.
Coloration-keyed steering wheel
That’s proper, the colour of your steering wheel most likely didn’t match the inside of your automotive. Coloration coordination is for wealthy individuals.
Deluxe Steering Wheel
We don’t know what makes a steering wheel “Deluxe,” however it most likely matches the automotive’s inside.
Coloration keyed seatbelts
Yup. The usual belts don’t essentially match the seats. We’re guessing the usual belts got here in both argent, or ocher.
Cigarette Lighter
That’s what matches are for. In addition to, for those who purchased this automotive, you shouldn’t be losing cash on cigarettes, anyway.
Day/night time inside mirror
Don’t drive at night time. No downside.
Glove-box lock
Don’t maintain essential stuff in your automotive. No Drawback.
Glove-box mild
No massive situation for those who don’t maintain essential stuff in your automotive (see above).
Material headliner
It’s vinyl for you, buddy. (This most likely provides to the ambient noise stage within the automotive.)
Carpeting
Simply maintain your sneakers on, no downside.
Intermittent wipers
These usually weren’t commonplace on a lot, but, truly.
Normal-size white sidewall tires
Extra whitewall, extra money.
500-amp battery
Ouch. 500 amps isn’t a lot for brand spanking new automotive. Stepping up from the usual 325-amp battery was most likely frequent.
Protecting bumper strips
No matter.
Clock (digital)
Yup, no clock.
Middle console
Which is sensible. Add the console and your entrance/heart passenger goes to be fairly uncomfortable.
Rear defogger/defroster
These are literally listed individually. Assuming the defroster is for the windshield? Actually needs to be commonplace.
“Most” cooling system
We assume this included a high-capacity radiator. Most likely standard with the fleet patrons.
Customized Package deal
Lots of the smaller objects listed above as stand-along choices could possibly be had is one fell swoop by ordering the Customized Package deal. The Customized Package deal was not supplied on the Particular.
Dodge produced roughly 19,000 Aspen Particular sedans for 1980, making it the second-most-popular automobile within the lineup after the considerably much less miserable base sedan, which got here in at 26,000 items. And whereas drivers of the Aspen Particular doubtless loved extra sullen and joyless lives than the house owners of different autos, not less than they may level to their wheel lip moldings with a nominal diploma of satisfaction, and declare honestly, “These got here commonplace.” Particular, certainly. (To examine an much more miserly automotive, click on right here.)
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1980 Dodge Aspen Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photographs
